ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scientists of ARI, Pune develop biofortified, high protein wheat variety
MACS 4028, a semi-dwarf variety, has shown the superior and stable yielding ability
It is resistant to stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and brown wheat mite
Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute , Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, have developed a biofortified durum wheat variety MACS 4028, which shows high protein content.
The wheat variety developed by the ARI scientists group on Wheat improvement, shown high protein content of about 14.7%, better nutritional quality having zinc 40.3 ppm, and iron content of 40.3ppm and 46.1ppm respectively, good milling quality and overall acceptability.
MACS 4028, the development of which was published in the Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, is a semi-dwarf variety, which matures in 102 days and has shown the superior and stable yielding ability of 19.3 quintals per hectare. It is resistant to stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and brown wheat mite.
The MACS 4028 variety is also included by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra  programme for United Nations Children's Fund  to alleviate malnutrition in a sustainable way and can boost the Vision 2022 “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat”, the National Nutrition Strategy. An endeavor to tackle the hidden hunger in the rural areas of India is being continued using traditional plant breeding approach to achieve “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat.”
The wheat variety MACS 4028 has been notified by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops  for timely sown, rainfed condition of Peninsular Zone, comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka. Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has also tagged this variety under the Biofortified category during the year 2019.
Smt. Jayshri Govind Jadhav, a woman farmer, ensuring the nutritional security of her family through the cultivation of biofortified wheat variety MACS 4028, in Morgaon, District Pune, Maharashtra.
Wheat crop in India is grown under six diverse agroclimatic zones. In the peninsular zone of India , wheat cultivation is majorly done under rainfed and limited irrigation conditions. Under such conditions, the crop experiences moisture stress. Hence, there is a high demand for drought-tolerant varieties. Efforts for the development of high yielding, early maturing varieties with good quality and disease resistance for rainfed conditions are carried out at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune under All India coordinated Wheat and Barley improvement programme, coordinated through Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research Karnal governed by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. The MACS 4028 is an outcome of such intervention for the farmers.
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Ministry of Defence
DRDO hands over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars of Akash Weapon System  to Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency
Defence Research and Development Organisation  handed over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars  of Akash Weapon System  to Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency  in Hyderabad on December 03, 2022. The handing over was held at Defence Research and Development Laboratory  which, as a nodal agency, has designed and developed the Akash weapon system. The Technical Specification & Quality Document and the drawing of complete weapon system elements were sealed and handed over by Project Akash to MSQAA as part of AHSP transfer.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Army and the industry, terming the AHSP transfer as a landmark event. He exuded confidence that this would go a long way in fulfilling the requirement of services.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the Project Akash team for first AHSP transfer from Missile cluster to MSQAA for such a complex system involving missile and multiple ground systems. He said, the transfer process will enable the roadmap for future missile systems, which are under production.
Akash is the first state-of-the-art indigenous surface-to-air missile system which has been with Armed Forces for nearly a decade defending the Indian skies and providing national security. It is inducted by Indian Army and Indian Air Force with order value worth Rs 30,000 crore, which is one of the largest single system orders for indigenous missile system.
Apart from DRDL, a number of other DRDO labs are involved in the development of the system. These include Research Centre Imarat; Electronics & Radar Development Establishment; Research & Development Establishment ; Integrated Test Range; Armament Research & Development Establishment; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Vehicles Research Development Establishment. The systems are produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Electronics Corporation of India Limited, BEML Limited along with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and other industries partners.
SR/Savvy
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Centre Revises "Transport and Marketing Assistance"  scheme for Specified Agriculture Products’
Dairy products, which were not covered under the earlier scheme, will be eligible for assistance
Rates of assistance have been increased, by 50% for exports by sea and by 100% for exports by air
Centre has revised "Transport and Marketing Assistance"  scheme for Specified Agriculture Products’.
In February 2019, the Department of Commerce had introduced ‘Transport and Marketing Assistance  for Specified Agriculture Products Scheme’ to provide assistance for the international component of freight, to mitigate disadvantage of higher freight costs faced by the Indian exporters of agriculture products. The scheme was initially applicable for exports effected during the period from 01.03.2019 to 31.03.2020 and was later extended for exports effected up to 31.03.2021.
Now the Department has notified ‘Revised Transport and Marketing Assistance  for Specified Agriculture Products Scheme’ for exports effected on or after 01.04.2021 up to 31.03.2022. The existing scheme will remain in operation for exports effected up to 31.03.2021.
Following major changes have been made in the revised scheme:
• Dairy products, which were not covered under the earlier scheme, will be eligible for assistance under the revised scheme.
• Rates of assistance have been increased, by 50% for exports by sea and by 100% for exports by air. Details are as under:
Rates of Assistance 
Region Amount Per TEU  Amount Per TEU By Air

ExistingRevisedExistingRevisedExistingRevised
West Africa 11200 16800 19600 29400 0.841.68
East Africa 11200 16800 21000 315000.841.68
Europe 9800 14200 21000 31500 1.122.24
Gulf 8400 12600 14000 21000 0.701.40
North America21000 31500 28700 43050 2.805.60
ASEAN 5600 8400 12600 18900 0.701.40
Russia & CIS 12600 18900 22400 33600 0.701.40
Far East 8400 12600 12250 18375 0.841.68
Oceana 16800 25200 24500 36750 2.805.60
China 0012600189000.84 1.68
South America23800 35700 31500 47250 3.507.00
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade  will shortly notify the procedure for availing assistance under the revised scheme.
Enhanced assistance under the revised scheme is expected to help Indian exporters of agricultural products to meet rising freight and logistics costs.
Ministry of Finance
Exchange Rates Notification No.05/2020 - Customs 
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , and in supersession of the notification of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs No.01/2020-CUSTOMS , dated 2nd January, 2020 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column  of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 17th January, 2020, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column  thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.
SCHEDULE-I
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Sl.No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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1.
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Australian Dollar
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50.10
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47.90
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2.
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Bahraini Dinar
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194.00
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181.95
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3.
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Canadian Dollar
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55.30
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53.30
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4.
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Chinese Yuan
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10.45
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10.15
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5.
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Danish Kroner
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10.75
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10.40
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6.
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EURO
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80.50
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77.55
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7.
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Hong Kong Dollar
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9.30
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8.95
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8.
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Kuwaiti Dinar
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240.95
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225.95
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9.
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New Zealand Dollar
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48.30
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46.10
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10.
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Norwegian Kroner
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8.15
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7.85
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11.
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Pound Sterling
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94.05
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90.75
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12.
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Qatari Riyal
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20.10
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18.85
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13.
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Saudi Arabian Riyal
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19.50
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18.30
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14.
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Singapore Dollar
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53.55
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51.70
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15.
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South African Rand
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5.10
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4.75
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16.
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Swedish Kroner
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7.60
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7.35
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17.
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Swiss Franc
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74.95
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72.00
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18.
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Turkish Lira
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12.40
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11.65
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19.
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UAE Dirham
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19.90
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18.65
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20.
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US Dollar
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71.65
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69.95
SCHEDULE-II
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Sl.No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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1.
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Japanese Yen
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65.65
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63.20
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2.
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Korean Won
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6.30
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5.90
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
36.89 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 43,393 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,58,727
Active cases constitute 1.49% of total cases
2,98,88,284 Total Recoveries across the country so far
44,459 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Recovery Rate increases to 97.19%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.36%
Daily positivity rate at 2.42%, less than 3% for 18 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 42.70 cr tests total conducted
Special Service and Features
DAK ADALAT
It is proposed to conduct a Divisional level DAK ADALAT at 11:00 AM on 25.03.2021  at the Office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City South Division, T.Nagar North PO Complex , North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai – 600 017. Phone Number – 28341668, 28342554 & email ID:dochennaicitysouth.tn@indiapost.gov.in. Members of the public are requested to send their complaints/suggestions regarding the postal services  in the post offices viz Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Saligramam, Kodambakkam, West Mambalam, Ashoknagar, K.K.Nagar, St.Thomas Mount, Guindy, I.E, Saidapet, Adyar, Tiruvanmiyur, Besantnagar, St.Thomas Mount HO, Madipakkam, Adambakkam, Nanganallur, Sholinganallur, Oggiamthuraipakkam, Alwarthirunagar, R.A.Puram, Kotturpuram, Velachery etc in the jurisdiction of Chennai City South Division to the above email id so as to reach on or before 24.03.2021 , according to a press release issued by the Senior Superintendent of Post offices, Chennai City Division.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Union Shipping Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announces the Tariff Guidelines, 2021 for PPP projects in Major Ports
Major reform initiative as Government moves towards deregulation of tariffs for PPP Projects at Major Ports
Will provide level playing field to the PPP concessionaires at Major Ports to compete with private ports
Guidelines will usher in a new era of market economy, make Major Ports more competitive: Sonowal
In a major reform for the Port sector, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today announced the Tariff Guidelines, 2021 for the PPP projects in Major Ports. The need for new guidelines arose consequent upon the new Major Port Authority Act,2021 coming in vogue w.e.f. 3.11.2021. In the new Act, the provision of the erstwhile Tariff Authority for Major Ports  stands abolished. The Guidelines allow the concessionaires at Major Ports to set tariffs as per market dynamics. Currently, Major Port’s PPP concessionaires handle around 50% of the total traffic handled by all the Major Ports in India. The biggest benefit of transition to market linked tariff is that a level playing field will be provided to the PPP concessionaires at Major Ports to compete with private ports. PPP concessionaires at Major Ports were constrained to operate under the stipulations of these guidelines  whereas private operators/PPP concessionaires at non-major ports were free to charge tariff as per market conditions. These new guidelines will be applicable for future PPP projects including the projects which are currently under the bidding stage.
Making the announcement, Shri Sonowal said that government mandated concessions in tariff for trans-shipment and coastal shipping shall continue to apply to all PPP future Concessionaires. In fact, the government has gone a step further and made further concessions to promote transshipment and coastal shipping. The royalty payable for trans-shipment cargo will now be 1.0 times  the normal container. Similarly, for the coastal cargo, the concessionaire has to pay only 40% of the royalty payable for foreign cargo  in accordance with coastal concession policy of the government. For transparency, the tariffs so fixed are to be hosted on the website of the concessionaire.
The Minister added that these guidelines will usher in an era of market economy for the sector and go a long way in making the Major Ports competitive. He said, the announcement of the market linked tariff guidelines also comes at a time when the Government is celebrating the current week as the ‘Good Governance’ week.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan presents book titled India: The Mother of Democracy to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
The Book published by ICHR is an evidence-based account of the origins and ideals of Indian democracy
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was presented book titled India: The Mother of Democracy, by the Union Minister of Education, and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, in the presence of Ministers of State for Education, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Shri Subhas Sarkar. Chairman & Member Secretary, ICHR, Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar and Prof. Umesh Ashok Kadam were also present on the occasion. The book prepared and published by the ICHR is an evidence based account of the origin of democracy in India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi appreciated the book, the hard work put in to it and the intellectual endeavour of ICHR. He further, wished the Member Secretary and Chairman, ICHR for their future academic endeavours.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that the democratic spirit and ethos have been ingrained in India since the dawn of civilisation. The book published by ICHR is an evidence-based account of the origins and ideals of Indian democracy, he added.
The book talks about India's democratic traditions that not only changed the destiny of the Indian subcontinent but also inspired many countries across the world. Democracy has deep roots in India's national ethos and our ancient culture, which teaches respect for divergent and even dissenting point of view.
The book draws a distinction between Praja-Tantra, Jana-Tantra, and Loka-Tantra. The book has innumerable citations of prevalent democratic institutions in India, through the ages.It further authenticates that Democratic system in India has evolved over the ages. Also, this book is an attempt to bring to the kind attention of the world academia that the Vedic term for law is Dharman.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to co-chair 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with Visiting Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will co-chair 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with the Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic Mr. Sebastien Lecornu on his visit to India from 26-28 November, 2022.
The visiting French Minister shall also meet External Affair Minister and the National Security Advisor. This is the first visit of Mr Sebastien Lecornu as French Minister of Armed Forces to India. He is also scheduled to visit Headquarters Southern Naval Command at Kochi and see India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
India and France have close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two countries entered into Strategic Partnership, marking convergence of their views on a range of international issues apart from a close and growing bilateral relationship. India and France are partners in defence and armaments, contributing to India’s policy of strategic autonomy in the defence sector through numerous industrial cooperation.
Ministry of Power
NTPC registers 11.93 percent growth in generation during FY'23
Coal production from captive mines crossed 20 MMT during FY'23
NTPC Ltd registered 11.92% growth in generation i.e. 364.2 BU in FY23 till February month, compared to the country’s generation growth of 9.56%.
NTPC continues to demonstrate an increasing trend in coal production from its captive mines. NTPC's Captive Coal production stood at 2.6 Million Metric tonnes  whereas the despatch stood at 2.5 MMT, thus registered a robust growth of 80% and 87% respectively, in February vis-à-vis previous corresponding year. On a cumulative basis, the coal production crossed 20 MMT during FY23.
NTPC has taken various steps to augment the coal production from its coal mines. The engagement of high-capacity dumpers as well as an increase in the existing fleet size of excavators has allowed the operational mines to increase their production.
NTPC Group installed capacity stands 71594 MW.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister of State Dr L Murugan calls on Tamil Nadu Governor Shri R N Ravi
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan today called on Tamil Nadu Governor Shri R N Ravi at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. It was a courtesy call.
In a tweet after the meet, Dr L Murugan posted: "Today, I met with Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri.R.N.Ravi Ji at @rajbhavan_tn, Chennai.
His vast experience provides immense valuable guidance in the welfare of our state."
Tweetlink: https://twitter.com/Murugan_MoS/status/1480115394513756162?t=wpktlU874hSVJaZYNzww9A&s=19
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
More than 1.40 lakh applications received for PM Vishwakarma Scheme within ten days of launch - Shri Narayan Rane
Shri Narayan Rane, Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, stated that within ten days of its launch, the PM Vishwakarma scheme has received more than 1.40 lakh applications.
Providing information on the success of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, through his post on X , Shri Rane wrote that PM Vishwakrma Yojna is a result of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s farsighted vision and receiving of such high numbers of applications within ten days of the launch of the scheme is a testament to the success and the paramount importance of the scheme.
The Union Minister further stated that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, will be a milestone for the comprehensive development of our socially and economically underprivileged Vishwakarma brothers and sisters and it will restore their lost identity which has been long awaited.
Through this scheme Vishwakarma brothers and sisters will be provided training, tool kits, and collateral free loans. After successfully verifying the received applications, all the scheme's benefits will be extended to our Vishwakarma brothers and sisters.
The Union Minister said that this scheme aims to enhance traditional artisans and craftspersons production capacity and take their products to domestic and global markets. Under the scheme, 18 types of artisans and craftsmen will be benefited. Skill training will be provided to the beneficiaries and they will receive a daily stipend of 500 rupees during the training. In addition, assistance of 15,000 rupees will be provided to purchase tool kits. Beneficiaries will also be eligible for collateral free loan up to 3 lakhs
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Notification regarding Vehicle Location Tracking Device for vehicle carrying any dangerous or hazardous goods
It has been brought to the notice of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that vehicles, which are not under the ambit of national permit, carrying various gases viz Argon, Nitrogen, Oxygen etc. and goods of dangerous or hazardous nature, are not fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking Devices.
Accordingly, the Ministry, vide G.S.R 617 dated 3rd August, 2022, has mandated that every vehicle of categories N2 and N3, manufactured on and after the 1st Day of September, 2022, in the case of new models, and 1st day of January, 2023, in the case of existing models, carrying dangerous or hazardous goods, shall be fitted with a vehicle tracking system device as per AIS 140.
Click here to see the Gazette Notification
Ministry of Power
NTPC hosts international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage’ at First Energy Transitions Working Group meeting in Bengaluru under the aegis of G20 India Presidency
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- “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage - Technology Gaps and International Collaboration”, commissioned under G20 India Presidency, unveiled during the event.
- 3D-Model of NTPC flagship project on Flue Gas CO2 to Methanol Synthesis has been showcased at the event.
- Event is likely to open new vistas for low carbon downstream industries and academia to work and move ahead benefitting People & Planet.
- Event witnesses more than 200 dignitaries, speakers, panellist and delegates of various countries.
NTPC ltd, India’s largest integrated Power utility, hosted an international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage ’ at the First Energy Transitions Working Group  meeting under the aegis of G20 India presidency at Bengaluru.
Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary Power, Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC Ltd., Shri Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director Project, NTPC Ltd. impressed upon the importance of CCUS technologies for clean energy transition leading to Net-Zero goal. They emphasized upon the several important CO2 emission mitigation measures and key green initiatives being spearheaded by India.
Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy also visited the venue of International Seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage  and discussed the initiatives taken by NTPC.
During the event, more than 200 dignitaries, speakers, panellist and delegates of various countries participated in the seminar wherein they shared their knowledge and learnings pertaining to CCUS.
Study Report on “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage - Technology Gaps and International Collaboration”, which was commissioned under G20 India Presidency, was unveiled during the event.
Additionally, a 3D-Model of NTPC flagship project on Flue Gas CO2 to Methanol Synthesis was also showcased at the event. This plant is intended to reduce the CO2 emission of fossil-based Power plant by capturing it and converting it into useful hydrocarbon, i.e., Methanol.
The event is likely to open new vistas for low carbon downstream industries and academia to work and move ahead benefitting People & Planet.